The European Union has called on Serbia to refrain from deepening its ties with Russia, emphasizing that such actions contradict its declared aspirations for EU integration.
One day earlier, Serbian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandar Vulin told Russian President Vladimir Putin that the Balkan country is a steadfast ally of Russia that will never impose sanctions against Moscow or join NATO.
Vulin’s comments, made during a meeting with President Putin in Vladivostok, reflect the close relationship between Belgrade and Moscow. Vulin, a former head of the Serbian intelligence service who is under U.S. sanctions, conveyed that Serbia will continue its strong ties with Russia in the future.
EU spokesperson Peter Stano stated on Thursday that Vulin’s meeting with the Russian leader is contrary to Serbia’s aspirations for EU membership.
“We do not know on whose behalf Vulin is speaking because Serbian President (Aleksandar) Vučić has reiterated Serbia’s strategic goal of joining the EU. This means that after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, relations with Russia cannot continue or be strengthened as if nothing has happened. We expect Serbia to refrain from strengthening these relations and expect all members of the Serbian government to follow the goal of EU integration,” said spokesperson Stano.
On Wednesday, the Serbian official assured President Putin that Serbia’s close ties with Russia would continue.
“A Serbia led by Aleksandar Vučić will never become a NATO member, will never impose sanctions against the Russian Federation, and will never allow its territory to be used for any anti-Russian activities,” he said.
President Putin mentioned during the meeting that he had invited Serbian President Vučić to attend the BRICS summit, scheduled to take place from October 22 to 24.
President Vučić, thanking Putin, suggested on Thursday that “there will be many important visits to Serbia at that time,” implying that he might not travel to Kazan, Russia, where the summit is expected to be held.
Vulin’s meeting with President Putin in the distant eastern city of Vladivostok occurred shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Serbia, during which Belgrade signed a deal to purchase French Rafale fighter jets, a move seen as a possible shift away from Moscow.
However, independent observers in Serbia say the meeting is part of Vučić’s efforts to maintain a balanced policy between East and West.
